Borrowed Wisdom

 

WISE WORDS FROM BARBARA BUSH

I was saddened to read the news of Barbara Bush’s passing.  I respected her public persona, her humor, and her focus on family and building relationships.  She was a great lady.

Several years ago, I had the privilege to hear Barbara Bush speak at a leadership conference breakout session for Women in Leadership.  The room was full of smart, successful women who were buzzing with ambition and energy.   We were eager to go conquer the world.

Other speakers talked about accomplishment, achievement, and advancement.  They meant to encourage and inspire.  I admit I do not recall their points in any depth.   One speaker did stand out.  During a Q&A session, a frustrated audience member asked about balancing all the demands of work, family, volunteerism, and community.    Barbara Bush, looking regal in her signature blue dress and silver hair, looked intently out at the audience.  She used a thoughtful pause and the room got quiet.  Her advice to us was that we CAN have it all, but don’t expect to do it all at once.  She encouraged us to be smart about how we apply our energy, and what we can accomplish during different seasons in our lives.  Some things, like raising children, can’t be deferred and deserve the very best of our attention.   That may mean that volunteer work will wait until another season in life.  In all cases, we need to keep ourselves and our relationships healthy, and can’t do that if we are exhausted and feeling pressure to do it all right now.

That message, coming from a person who had seen a lot in life, had operated on the world stage, was making a national impact in literacy, and wanted to preserve the health of her family, was the most inspiring thing I heard that day.  Her wisdom and certainty gave me a new way to define achievement.  Thank you, Barbara.